A new Mercy For Animals undercover investigation into Perdue Farms—one of the largest poultry producers in the United States—reveals workers cruelly kicking and throwing chickens, and stomping birds to death in clear violation of North Carolina law.

I was horrified to see hidden-camera video from Mercy For Animals showing workers at a Perdue contract farm kicking and throwing chickens, and stomping birds to death. Video footage also shows countless birds—purposely bred by your company to grow unnaturally fast—struggling to walk with crippling leg deformities or dying in agony from heart attacks related to rapid growth.

This horrific cruelty has no place in a civilized society and must be stopped!

I am writing to ask that Perdue Farms move quickly to end many of the worst forms of animal abuse in its supply chain by adopting meaningful animal welfare policies, including:

- Zero tolerance for animal abuse and video monitoring systems that live stream to the internet to deter egregious acts of violence against animals

Perdue claims: We ensure all birds are able to easily get to food and water.

Reality: Perdue chickens are bred to grow so fast they often develop crippling leg deformities, making it painful and sometimes impossible for them to reach food and water.

Perdue claims: Our chickens are raised on family farms.

Reality: Perdue chickens are raised in sheds and mass-produced like widgets in a factory. It’s probably true the people who own these factory farms have families.

Perdue claims: These birds are very content, you can tell.

Reality: Workers were caught on hidden camera routinely kicking and throwing animals, and purposely stomping them to death, among many other horrific abuses.

Perdue claims: These animals are being raised in a good humane fashion.

Reality: Perdue chickens suffer miserably on factory farms. In response to two class-action lawsuits, Perdue dropped the “humane” claim from its packaging.

Cruelty Critics

Perdue and the Business of Animal Abuse

Chickens raised and killed by Perdue Farms have been bred to grow so quickly they frequently become crippled under their own weight. Unable to walk without extreme pain, many die of dehydration at factory farms when they can’t reach water. Others die from heart attacks, organ failure, and other problems related to rapid growth. High levels of ammonia due to the filthy factory farm conditions also lead to severe skin and throat irritations, blindness, and deadly respiratory problems.
Birds who survive these wretched conditions are carelessly grabbed by their legs, wings, or necks and violently slammed into transport crates to be trucked to slaughter. At the slaughterhouse, they are violently shackled upside down, painfully shocked with electricity, and cut open at the throat—often while still conscious and able to feel pain.

Fed up with cruelty?There are alternatives!

Switch and Ditch

Let’s face it, without vegetable-based flavoring like Buffalo sauce or crispy breading, chicken meat is bland and boring. So why not just skip the cruelty, not to mention the saturated fat and cholesterol, in favor of delicious vegetarian alternatives like these?

Gardein Chick’n Products

One of the most popular meatless chicken products on the market, Gardein (garden + protein) is perfect for vegans and ardent carnivores alike.

Simply Balanced Meatless Chicken

Sold at Target and available in flavors like Smoky Chipotle, Teriyaki, and Korean Barbecue, this makes the vegan meal opportunities virtually endless!

Tofurky Slow Roasted Chick’n

Found in the refrigerated section of your local grocer, this new product from Tofurky comes in several flavors and is super easy to prepare.

Boca Chick’n Products

An old standby, Boca offers a large assortment of vegetarian chicken alternatives that come breaded and crispy on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside.